The political coalition known as The Big Tent has raised alarm over Nigeria's deepening crisis, warning that the nation is crumbling under the combined weight of poverty, insecurity, broken institutions, and elite irresponsibility.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, Convener of the coalition and renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, described the situation as an “existential crisis” that demands urgent civic intervention and responsible leadership.
“We once dreamed of Nigeria becoming a beacon for Africa — leading the way like the Asian Tigers. But how can that happen when 75% of rural Nigerians live in chronic poverty?” Utomi asked. “Hunger is ravaging the land. Farmers can’t even farm. Yet, the political elite continue to cruise in convoys, private jets, and SUVs. It’s morally bankrupt.”
Utomi accused the current government of ignoring early warnings about a major food crisis. “Our agriculture team raised the alarm months ago. Now, over 30 million Nigerians are at risk of severe food insecurity during the June to August lean season — and the government was too busy with propaganda to act.”
To address the crisis, he called for deep structural reforms including:
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Overhauling land tenure laws
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Revamping university extension services for agriculture
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Establishing agro-processing clusters
“Just like land grant universities transformed American farming, we must re-engage our academic institutions in solving our food crisis,” he said.
On security, Utomi emphasized the link between poverty and the rise in criminal violence. “People living in extreme poverty are easy prey for terrorists and criminals. We need decentralised policing — local governments and states should take the lead in securing their communities.”
He urged Nigeria to tap into regional economic strengths — from cocoa in the South-West to lithium in the North-Central — by empowering the private sector while the government plays the role of a “smart enabler.”
